5@5: State ag departments say they need more funding for FSMA | EU weighs GMO crops

States need $100M more for Food Safety Modernization Act

After the release of the preliminary 2018 budget proposal, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture drafted a letter to congressional budget leadership saying state governments need an additional $100 million a year for "sufficient funding" for implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. They need $40 million for produce safety programs, $20 million for preventive control programs for animal food and $40 million for preventive control programs for human food, they say in the letter. While the FDA wrote the rules, state agencies are the primary ones responsible for implementation and enforcement activities. Read more at Food Safety News...

Majority of EU countries vote against new GMO crops

Only one GMO crop is grown in Europe (although others are approved for import as feed and food). EU governments voted last week on two new potential GMO crops—both varieties of corn that are resistant to either pests or pesticides. The majority of EU nations voted to not allow the crops to be introduced, but not enough to reach the "qualified majority" required for for legislation to pass. Now, the decision rests with the EU president. Read more at Modern Farmer...

Amazon wants Cheerios, Oreos and other brands to bypass Walmart

Representatives from some of the world's biggest food brands have been invited to Amazon's headquarters in Seattle next month to hear why the online retailer thinks it's time they started skipping brick-and-mortar stores and shipping products directly to consumers. Supply chains designed to serve consumers directly can "bring improved customer experiences and global efficiency," the invitation says. Read more at Bloomberg...

Papa John's pizza is going organic

The pizza purveyor is partnering with online organic delivery provider Green Bean Delivery to source organic produce for a new pilot program. The program will allow consumers in certain markets to order their pizzas with organic tomatoes, peppers, onions and mushroom topping, or gluten-free crust. Read more at Fortune...

Still popular, CSAs adapt to competition from other local and organic options

The idea of creating a connection between farmers and consumers gave rise to the idea of community-supported agriculture decades ago. Now, that idea has gone mainstream, leaving CSAs to compete with farmers markets, meal kit companies and retailers and restaurants that carry local items. Read more at Wisconsin State Journal...